Electrical current controlling mechanism



April 4, 1933- c. F; CAPELL ET AL v 9 3, 8

ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed March 10, 1931 w [NV TOR.v CarZFCapel BY EabrinHfindlefon ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 4, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE cam. F. carm m EDwm n.rnnnnn'ron,

OF SANTA. MONICA, CALIFORNIA, AS-

SIGNOBS IQ QENOAP CORPORATION, 101 SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORA-'IION or camomua WICAL CURRENT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Application fledIarch 10,

This invention relates to an electrical current controlling mechanismand has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,a mechanism of the class referred to for intermittently flashing anilluminable means of that-type consisting of a transparent ortranslucent element containing a body of neon, argonne, helium, etc.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a self starting, automatic contact combinationcurrent control for high frequency gas tube illumination employmg neon,argonne, helium, et a1.

A further object of the invention is to rovide, in a manner ashereinafter set fort a mechanism for the purpose referred to which isextremely durable, of low current consumption, satisfactory in operationand not requiring any attention for a long period of time.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an electrical current controlling mechanism whichis simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact,thoroughly eflicient in its use, self starting, readily assembled, andcomparatively inexpensive when used'.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arran emeut of parts ashereinafter more spec'i cally described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawing wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a side elevation of anelettrical current controlling mechanism in accordance with thisinvention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a top planview thereof.

Fi ure 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrate ing t e circuit arrangements.

In the diagrammatic showing Figure 4, a

1981. Serial no. 521,560.

vibratory armature of conductin material is indicated at A, a vibratingmem r of conducting material at. B, a primary coil at C, the core forthe coil C at D, a secondary coil E connected to an illuminable elementF, a battery G, a governor control magnet H which is associated with thearmature A, a condenser I, a governor control weighted spring controlledoscillatory bar J, a contact K on the shaft J which is associated witharmature A, a circuit connection L from magnet H to shaft J, a circuitconnection M from battery G to magnet H, a circuit connection N frombattery G to armature A, a circuit connection 0 between connection N andcondenserv The element H is arranged upon the top of casing Q. Element Rleads to condenser I. Mounted on casing Q is a bearing tube S for avertically disposed governor shaft T which extends through the governorbar J, the latter having at each end a weight indicated at J, J. Thetube S is threaded at its upper end at S. Attached at one end to theupper end of shaft T is aspiral spring U. The other end of spring U asthe latter is attached to an mgustment bracket V connected to the tubeand maintained in adjusted osition by a nut S" engaging the threads SThe bar J in proximity to the weight J" 1s provided with the contact K.Extendin through the lower portion of armature A an engaging with casingQ, is a screw A provided w th an adjustable stop nut A" for controllingthe outward swing of the lower portion of the armature which abutstheouter.

face of armature A. The armature A intermediate its ends above screw Ais provided with an adjustable contact piece B for engagement with acontact piece B carried by the vibrator member B. Riveted to the top ofmagnet and projecting outwardly therefrom is a screw H whichextends'through armature A and carries an adjustable stop in an J nut Hwhich opposes the outer face of arms.- ture A for controlling theoutward swing of the upper portion of the armature. The latter freelyvibrates on screw H. The armsture A is provided with a plate C opposingthe core of the magnet H. The upper, end of armature A is in the form ofa spring blade C which vibrates freely.

To describe the device in general, we have a governing swinging balancebar with a spiral spring adjustable for speed variation carried by ashaft set in a sleeve, the bar is actuated by an armature that is drawntoward a no gnet. the armature bar terminating ta le contact, that whe,131 cc .ct with the governing bar ich also carries contact, closes thecuri s he governing her away fro a it to release. This operation .is aslong as current is supplied. @urrent entering magnet I 1 oi governortravelling through governor bar 5 held, in contact to upper point ofarmature spring blade C by the spiral spring U. The spring also acts asa speed regulator for the governor and maintains the electrical contactbetween the governor bar J and the upper point of armature spring bladeor plate C all times until the magnet H receives the current.

At this time current energizes the magnet H drawing armature plate Ctoward the magnet H, thus pressing the flexible contact blade C inreverse action against the governor bar J throwing the counter balanceweight J, thus breaking the electric conned tion between armature bladeor plate C and the governor bar which relieves the magnetic throw. 1

The direction of travel of the governor bar J is reversed and broughtback to another contact by the spring U to the flexible contact blade Cat the upper end of armature A. The spring U serves as a timing elementgoverning the time of the magnet pressure on the governor bar J. When incontact, the current is passing to the governor magnet H until thearmature contact blade C has reversed the direction of travel of thegovernor weights. When this contact/is broken the armature plate Cfallsback to its ready position for the next contact by the governor ar Jwhich energizes the governor magnet H thus delivering the next magneticthrow of the governor.

The adjustment screw H serves as a regulator for the amount of magneticthrow of the governor when drawn by magnet H. Adjustment screw H acts asa refining adjustment for the after vibration of the armature A whenreleasing :the governor contact and the magnetic throw of the governorbar J.

High tension current contact point adjustment screw B mounted andcarried by armature A serves as a regulator. The length of Y mosses timecontact piece B engages with contact piece B determines the length oftime which current is drawn from the battery.

High frequency coils operate on the same general principles as follows:The primary coil is wound on an iron core which when current is passedthrough it magnetizes the core and it we place an iron or steel barclose to the core it will be attracted to it as long as the current ison.

@ne end of the coil is connected to iron or steel bar and a stationerymember is placed close to it and connected to the battery as shown andthen press the two bar? we will have the same result with operation thatif properly mount est to the core will i that when they iZI6'iOg& 1u

the near is attracted to the core opens the circuit and allows the barto come back to the stationary member and cause contact thus keeping upthe vibrations as long as the curr mt passes between the points.

To produce high frequencyelectricity which is very high in voltage butvery low in amperage, a coil called a secondary coil is wound over theprimary coil the Wire used being very much smaller and many more turnsoi? wire being used.

Then because of its peculiar properties we place a condenser between thelines connecting points A and B Figure l, for reducing sparking toprevent the destruction of the contact points. Now, in order to sooperate these points so that their operation does not depend at all upontheir own action by the current being turned through the primary coilthrough A and B we adjust B to give the greatest vibrating elliciencyand operate A automatically by our governor control as shown. Instandard practice the points A and B are always together waiting for theelectric current to separate them while in our case A and B are alwaysapart waiting for an outside agency to contact them. at given intervalsto produce illumination.

By this method any non-conductin g or foreign matter that might lodgebetween the points and terminate the electrical action is wiped out byreason of A being operated independently and in consequence we are ableto make an adjustment that will pass a very low current. One willreadily see that ii for any cause the points A or B are held apart or donot make contact for any reason, such as foreign matter getting betweenthem or a self created crust, there will be no electrical actionwhatever and by reason of no current passage, there can be no method ofdislodging the elemen causing trouble. Also it will be noted that incase of these points fusing or sticking together for any reason a shortwill be caused through the primary winding which will discharge thebattery at once and no doubt ruin the coil by the resultant heat causedby the short. I j

The low current discharge and its low illumination is suificient for ourneeds providing it will continuously function and give service for aperiod of months.

This is what we have accomplished by our method of operating the Amember from an outside source of power.

We have a vibrating member B and a'mem- 1 ber A that is stationary butit has thereon a contact that is not in contact with the vibrator. I

Now by a mechanical operation, we'bring a pressure on A that causes itto contact with the vibrating part only so long as the pressure isagainst it. Both vibrator and stationary parts are ready to operate,being energized. In other words by this method, we are able to produce afiner adjustment of current consumption and at the same time control theduration of the production of high frequency current and at the samemoment by mechan ical means, bring contact points together. It can bereadily seen that by this method the contacts are self repairing. Intheold method, a piece of foreign substance or a nonconductor ofelectricity between the points would render the functioning of the coiluseless for no current could pass between the points so obstructed,while .by our method the object causing trouble would be dislodged orpounded out in a very short time and thus the coil would again resumeoperations.

It will. be noted that the current passes from A to B which must beclosed, and should any foreign substance or non-conductor of electricitybecome lodged between these A and,B points the operation ceases. Aswitch is necessary in the line to start and stop the Operation of thevibrating member, while with our mechanism A and B are always open andare closedonly by an armature member which is It is not like 'a. hightension coil operated as in an automobile because in that case.aconnection is made that in turn causes the current to flow through thecoil and if the points A and B are clean they will vibrate and cause ahigh frequency spark, while we in our operation make the direct contactmechanically on the 13 member by a mechanical operation of the A memberand thereby causing a spark even if the points A and B are fouled,because we wipe a'waythe obstruction'by the action.

The mechanism will be used in conjunction with batteries either dry orstorage and as a self contained complete operatin unit such as boulevardstop signs, railroa crossings, danger, slow and many uses wheresignalling is desired, it can be used to indicate boundaries on aviationfields, navigation signals, etc.

It operates on from 2 volts to 12 and as low a discharge as 100milliamperes thereby giving a life of many operating months withoutattention. It can be set to flashfrom fifteen to seventy times perminute and the duration of the flash can be set from one tenth second toone or more seconds.

The construction and arrangement of the mechanism provides for threecircuits one for the secondary, another for the primary orcoil and theotherfor the governor magnet. Then further the arrangement takes thecoil operating current load off the contact points which operate thegovernor.

WVhat we claim is 1. An electrical current controlling mechanismcomprising, a primary coil functioning both as the primary of aninduction coil and also as a vibrator coil, a secondary coil functioningas the secondary of the induction coil, said primary coil beinginductively coupled to said secondary coil, a core for the primary coil,a resilient vibratory member of conducting material opposing andnormally spaced from said core, said member having one end free and itsother end anchored, an electro-magnetic device spaced from the primarycoil and including a resilient vibratory armature ofv conductingmaterial opposing and permanently spaced from said member, said armaturehaving one end anchored and its other end free, the free end of saidarmature being extended beyond said device, I an electrical source, acircuit connection between one side of said source and-said device, acircuit concontact in circuit with said device for intermittentlyengaging the free end of the armature for intermittently closing thecircuit of saidma'gnetic device to intermittently energize the latterthereby moving the armature towards said device to cause the contactpiece to intermittently engage said vibratory memher to provide for thevibration of the latter thereby making the induction coil intermittentlyactive.

2. An electrical current controlling mechanism comprising, a primarycoil functionin both as the primary of an induction coil an also as avibrator coil, a secondary coil functently closing the circuit armatureof conducting material 0 tioning as the secondary of the induction coilsaid primary coil being inductively coupled to said secondary coil, acore for the primary coil, a resilient vibratory member of conduct ingmaterial opposing and normally spaced from said core, said member havingone end free and its other end anchored, said member having a contactmounted thereon on the side opposite the core, an electromagnetic devicespaced from the primary coil and including a resilient vibratoryarmature of conducting material opposing and permanently spaced fromsaid member, said armature having one end anchored and its other endfree, the free end of said armature being extended beyond said device,an electrical source, a circuit connection between one side oi saidsource and said device, a circuit connection between the said connectionand said primary coil, a circuit connection between said primary coiland said vibratory member, a circuit connection between the oppositeside of said source and said armature, a contact piece carried by saidarmature for intermit'mntly engaging the contact on said vibratorymember, a spring controlled governor including a contact mounted thereonin circuit with said electromagnetic device for intermittently engagingthe free end of the armature for intermitof said magnetic device tointermittently energize the latter thereby moving the armature towardssaid device to cause the contact piece to intermittently engage saidmember to provide for the vibration of the latter thereby making theinduction coil intermittently active.

3. An electrical current controlling mechanism comprising, a primarycoil functioning both as the primary of an induction coil and also as avibrator coil, a secondary coil functioning as the secondary of theinduction coil, said primary coil being inductively coupled to saidsecondary coil, a core for the primary coil, a resilient vioratorymember of conducting material opposing and normally spaced from saidcore, said member having one end free and its other end an chored, saidmember having a contact mounted thereon on the side opposite the core,an electromagnetic device spaced from the primary coil and including aresilient vibratory posing and rmanently spaced from said vi ratory memr, said armature having one end anchored and its other end free, thefree end of said armature being extended beyond said device, anelectrical source, a circuit connection between one side of said sourceand said device, a circuit connection between the said connect-ion andsaid primary coil, a circuit connection between said primary coil andsaid vibratory member, a circuit connection between the other side ofsaid source and said armature, a contact piece carried by said armaturefor intermittently engaging the neoaeae contact on said vibratorymember, a spring controlled governor including a contact mounted thereon'in circuit with said device for intermittently engaging the free end 0?the armature for inmrmittently closing the circuit of said magneticdevice to intermittently energize the latter thereby moving the armaturetowards said device to cause the contact piece to intermittently engagesaid member to provide for the vibration of the latter thereby makingthe induction coil intermittently active, and stationary, independentlyadjustable spaced stop devices extending through an abutting the outerside of the armature for controlling the outward swing of the upper andlower portions of the latter.

in testimony whereof, we ailin our signatures hereto.

EDWIN H. PENDLETON. CARL F. CAPELL.

